A Second Chance at Forever

Chapter 1489
Bernard reluctantly let go of Eleanor, his eyes clouded with disappointment as he shot a cold glance at Cedric, who was leading
Hailey out of the room, “You might as well come in and watch, make sure you get your money’s worth.”
Cedric, who prided himself on having a thick skin, couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration at his brother’s audacity, “Look
at you, bro. You’ve got guts. I’m giving you room.”
Bernard, ever so nonchalant, raised his well-defined finger to straighten the shirt that Eleanor had rumpled, then leaned back on
the armchair, tilting his chin at Cedric, “Try teasing me again?”
Already back in the room, Cedric pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Bernard, “I wasn’t teasing you, come on, I’m a man
too, I know the frustration...”
Eleanor, upon hearing this, covered her face. These two brothers, what on earth do they talk about in their spare time? Such
matters should not be so openly discussed, should they?
Compared to Eleanor’s shyness, Hailey was used to their banter. Cedric was a rascal in bed, always making dirty jokes. But she
never imagined he’d have the gall to tease Bernard with them. What a daredevil!
Daredevil Cedric was about to push his luck further but was interrupted by a chilling gaze from Bernard, “Hey... Hailey, bring
Little Damn over here for Eleanor and Bernard to see...”
Eleanor forced a smile as Hailey brought over the baby, handing him to her. Eleanor took her child with a touch of guilt, “It’s my
fault for being out of it for so long. We haven’t even named the poor mite...”
Cedric knew Eleanor’s comment was a hint, but he stubbornly insisted on his own nickname, “Eleanor, there’s no rush to name
the kid. Let him pick his own at the first birthday party. For now, ‘Little Damn’ will do.
Before Eleanor could respond, Bernard’s voice, cold and detached, chimed in, “Next time, bring over ‘Boy’ and ‘Girl’ too. I want
to see how those two kids are shaping up...”
Cedric was speechless...
An idea suddenly lit up his mind, “Oh, Bernard, my apologies. My kids were born before yours. Down the line, your child will have
to call them big brother or sister. It’s like I’m taking advantage of you or something.”

Bernard, cool as a cucumber, replied, “If you don’t want to feel like you’re taking advantage, it’s simple, Have your kids call mine
‘big bro’. Then, the age order won’t matter at all.”
As Bernard spoke, Cedric’s smug smile froze in place, but the baby in Eleanor’s arms giggled as if understanding their
conversation, showing off his brilliance.
Hearing the baby’s laughter, Bernard’s eyebrows lifted in a rare show of good humor. He reached out to tickle the baby’s chubby
chin, “Like being the big bro, do you?”
The baby couldn’t answer, but he waved his little hands, reaching for Bernard’s fingers. When he caught them, his laughter grew
louder, unstoppable in his joy.
Seeing such a delightful baby, Eleanor couldn’t help but lean down to kiss his soft little forehead, “Sweetheart, can you really
understand what daddy’s saying? Why are you so happy?”
After she spoke, she turned to Bernard, who was also wearing a faint smile, “Isn’t our baby just adorable? Do you want to hold
him?”
During her hospital visits, Hailey had told Eleanor that Bernard seemed to blame the baby for her condition and hadn’t held him
once.
A father who never held his child, that just wouldn’t do. Eleanor didn’t care if Bernard was ready or not; she simply picked up the
baby and handed him over, “Here, hold him for a bit.”
Bernard stared at the tiny bundle for a few seconds before reluctantly taking the baby into his arms, with Eleanor’s expectant
eyes on him. The moment he held the baby, his towering frame stiffened slightly.
The child was so soft and small, Bernard worried he might hurt him by holding too tight or let him slip through by holding too
loose. Nervous about getting it right, he held the baby briefly before quickly handing him back to Eleanor.
Cedric and Hailey thought Bernard was still rejecting the baby, but only Eleanor saw his nerves. She smiled and instructed, “Use
your right arm to support his little head and the rest of your arm to hold his body; you’ll hold him steady that way.”
For the sake of the mother of his child, who longed for a harmonious father-son relationship, Bernard once again reached out to
take the baby. Following Eleanor’s instructions, he held the baby more confidently.

Whether it was Eleanor’s guidance or Bernard’s own adjustment, the tension eased considerably, and he found himself unwilling
to let go. Holding the baby in one arm, he reached out with the other to touch the baby’s plump, pale cheek. As his fingertips
brushed the tender, fragile skin, a warm surge of emotion flooded his heart.